Morning Must Reads: May 16

Mark Wilson—Getty ImagesThe early morning sun rises behind the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

In the news: The next prime minister of India; Reversing the momentum in eastern Ukraine; Conservatives versus the G.O.P.; Gem State hosts the "best political debate of the year"

“Opposition candidate Narendra Modi will be the next prime minister of India, with counting trends showing the pro-business Hindu nationalist and his party headed for the most resounding election victory the country has seen in 30 years.” [Reuters]

“Thousands of steelworkers fanned out on Thursday through the city of Mariupol, establishing control over the streets and banishing the pro-Kremlin militants who until recently had seemed to be consolidating their grip on power, dealing a setback to Russia and possibly reversing the momentum in eastern Ukraine.” [NYT]

“Iran has been recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria, offering $500 a month and Iranian residency to help the Assad regime beat back rebel force…” [WSJ]

“President Barack Obama’s new homeland security secretary is offering his first public hints at executive action the administration might take on immigration, suggesting changes to a much-criticized program that runs the names of people booked for local crimes through a federal immigration database.” [AP]

“[White House senior advisor Valerie] Jarrett believes [House Speaker John] Boehner will allow a comprehensive immigration reform bill, or a package of bills, to come up for a vote after the primary election to avoid spoiling some GOP candidates’ chances.” [Las Vegas Review Journal]

“Although many Republicans are optimistic about their chances in this year’s elections, some of Washington’s leading conservatives gathered Thursday to privately vent frustrations about what kind of party they will be left with after November.” [WashPost]

Zero Tea Party candidates are ahead in next Tuesday’s big primaries. Zero. [WashPost]

“The once-peaceful Georgia GOP Senate primary has devolved into an all-out brawl in its final days, ripe with charges of sexism, arrogance, lying, distortion and even ‘promoting teenage homosexuality’—and that’s just a taste of the venom.” [Politico]

“As he hints at a possible second bid for president, Texas Gov. Rick Perry is contending with an unusual criminal investigation into whether he abused his authority, a case that legal experts say has virtually no precedent in modern Texas history.” [WSJ]

“First lady Michelle Obama will speak to high school seniors in Topeka, Kansas on Friday evening about the importance of diversity, just a day before the 60th anniversary of a landmark Supreme Court case outlawing school segregation.” [Hill]